Devil's Advocate

After securing a 1-0 victory in the first half of a home-at-home series against the Islanders, the Devils looked to bring home another win to help propel them in the standings. Down 3-2 with six seconds left in the third period, Zach Parise pushed to the front of the net after an offensive zone faceoff win and pushed the puck past Isles goalie Al Montoya. The ruling was called a goal on the ice. The game had been tied with one second left on the clock.

But wait…

The goal would be under review, and that is where all the madness occurs.

After the war room in Toronto had a look, the decision was overturned. The Devils lost 3-2.

The official ruling from Toronto read: “At 19:59 of the third period in the Devils/Islanders game, video review used the overhead angle and the side camera to determine that Devils forward Zach Parise used his right skate to propel the puck into the net. According to rule 49.2 “A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net.”

Naturally, Parise lost his cool.

“Apparently. I just watched it and, I’m sorry, I can’t agree with it,” Parise said to Rich Chere. “I knew it hit off my skate and I knew it hit off my stick, too. But if that’s a kicking motion, then I don’t know. It definitely hit my skate before it went in, but it doesn’t matter. That’s not the point. It’s them saying I kicked it in.”

Head Coach Pete DeBoer also disagreed with the call.

“I watched the play,” DeBoer said. “I’m not sure I agree with the decision, based on my view of the replays. To me, it wasn’t what I would consider a distinct kicking motion.”

The numerous replays showed a play that was inconclusive enough to not be overturned. However, the decision was, and no one in New Jersey was happy about it.

Ilya Kovalchuk became the scape goat for the night after he turned over the puck to Michael Grabner while the Devils were on the powerplay with the score tied at two. He who would go on to beat Brodeur for the short handed goal and a 3-2 lead. The goal by Grabner was the game winning goal.

“I made that mistake on the power play so it cost us the game. I’ll take all the blame for this one,” Kovalchuk said to Chere

.

After being benched in Long Island after costly turnovers, Adam Larsson responded with a goal in the second period to tie the game at one.

“I felt he needed a rest and I have no doubt he’ll bounce back. He had a smile on h is face yesterday on the team bus and at the team meal. The guys handled it well. It certainly won’t be the last time he coughs up a breakaway. When you’re a puck-handling defenseman that’s going to run an NHL power play for the next 20 years, that’s going to happen to him an awful lot.”

The Devils wont play again until Wednesday when they take on the Colorado Avalanche at 9:30 p.m.

Comments

The replays did NOT show a play that was “inconclusive enough to not be overturned.” Parise clearly kicked the puck in. It was as blatant a kicked in goal as you’ll ever see. It took Toronto almost no time to reverse the goal because it was so clear. You’re just mouthing the pro-Devil spin.

Posted by
hockeyfan
from newjersey on 11/27/11 at 07:53 PM ET

I am sorry to see you don’t watch much hockey then because it was robbery at its finest. It was a skate push at best, with 0% distinct kicking motion. After being called a goal on the ice, he would have been trying to knock it into the stands to be considered a distinct kicking motion. Open your eyes hockeyfan.

I’d also like to link you to story when it was broken on this website with everyone else who sees it the same way.

Sorry Pavlak but it’s you who probably doesn’t watch much hockey then because it was attempted robbery at its finest. It was a blatant skate push with 100% distinct kicking motion. Open your eyes Pavlak.

Posted by
neutralobserver
on 11/28/11 at 04:46 PM ET

It didn’t look like a kick in the traditional sense. Let’s be clear - a goal in off the skate is perfectly legal. The kick rule is to protect goal tenders from flying blades of skates. His blade stayed on the ice and his foot did not go forward. I’ve seen the same thing called a goal time after time (it’s how the Sedin brothers score so many). The Devils should have had this one count.

Neutralobserver, I strongly advise you to check out a local soccer match sometime in the near future if you want to see a distinct kicking motion. Because you did not see it on that goal in the slightest.

Pavlak, I strongly advise you to check out a local soccer match sometime in the near future if you want to continue writing a sports blog. Because you have no idea what you’re talking about. Go back and watch the replays. Parise clearly kicked it in, purposely.

Absolutely. You have shown me that following you mindlessly is the right way to go no matter what I am writing about. It makes most sense that the guy without the blog is always right in every circumstance. I am truly embarrassed and ashamed I had not sought out your wisdom before. I’ll be better, I promise, wordofjustice.

On the other hand, your making my work noticed by continually coming back to comment on it, so I must be doing something right, eh?

About Devil's Advocate

I am an all around NHL fan. I love to watch Atlantic Division, and root for the Philadelphia Flyers. Just because I cheer for the Flyers, doesn’t mean I don’t keep up with the other teams in the division, specifically the New Jersey Devils. Devils Advocate will provide you with the most important Devils news, filled with my opinion about the selected topic.

Like what you read? Hated it? Have something else you want to read about? Let me know, I always like to hear from my readers and what they want to see.